Topical Questions - Project Open Gov

Short-notice oral questions that allow members to raise current issues with ministers.

Also used as: topical questions, Topical Questions, topical oral questions, topical question

Source / explainer: Read UK Parliament information on Question Time

Last reviewed: 23 August 2026

Topical questions are short-notice oral questions that allow members to raise current issues with ministers. They are used in some question sessions and can help bring recent developments into parliamentary questioning. In the Lords, slots are also reserved for topical questions tabled shortly before the sitting.

Related terms

Departmental QuestionsCommons oral questions addressed to ministers from a specific government department.MinisterA member of the government with responsibility for a policy area or department.Oral QuestionA question asked aloud in the chamber, with a minister answering in person.Question TimeThe period in a sitting when ministers answer oral questions from MPs or peers.